Editorial: Myth-Making in ‘Nixon in China’ and Why Modern Directors Don’t Get It

https://operawire.com/editorial-myth-making-in-nixon-in-china-and-why-modern-directors-dont-get-it/

On July 11, a renowned composer John Adams posted on X (ex-Twitter): This @deutsche_oper production: painful to even think about. “Nixon in China” is so often mistreated or misunderstood. In 35 years I’ve only seen 2 productions that got it right. This one? Clearly a disgrace. But we composers can only babysit our creations for so long. What do we {…}

News

Obituary: Video Artist Bill Viola Dies at 73

https://operawire.com/obituary-video-artist-bill-viola-dies-at-73/

On July 12, 2024, Bill Viola died at the age of 73 due to complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. A statement via Instagram said, “It is with great sadness that Bill Viola Studio shares news of the death of Bill Viola, one of the world’s leading contemporary artists. He passed away peacefully at home on July 12th, at the age {…}

Interviews, Stage Spotlight

Q & A: Tenor Russell Thomas on His Career’s Journey in Opera, Advocacy for Opera Singers & Life That Happens in Between

https://operawire.com/q-a-tenor-russell-thomas-on-his-careers-journey-in-opera-advocacy-for-opera-singers-life-that-happens-in-between/

(Credit: Fay Fox) Content Warning: Please note the following includes some explicit language. American tenor Russell Thomas is now one of the most sought-after tenors of his generation having established his reputation in key lyric roles such as Don Carlo, Manrico in “Il trovatore,” Don Alvaro in “La forza del destino,” and Pollione “Norma.” As an alumnus of the Metropolitan {…}

News

Luca Salsi, Anna Netrebko, Lidia Fridman, Corinne Winters & Ian Bostridge Lead Teatro dell’Opera di Roma’s 2024-25 Season

https://operawire.com/luca-salsi-anna-netrebko-lidia-fridman-corinne-winters-ian-bostridge-lead-teatro-dellopera-di-romas-2024-25-season/

The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera The season opens with Verdi’s “Simon Boccanegra“ in a production by Richard Jones. Michele Mariotti conducts the production with a cast that includes Luca Salsi in the title role, Eleonora Buratto, Stefan Pop, and Michele Pertusi. The opening night will be streamed on Rai5 and Radio3. Another cast will {…}

Opera Meets Film, Special Features

Opera Meets Film: Zhang Yimou & Zubin Mehta’s ‘Turandot At The Forbidden City’

https://operawire.com/opera-meets-film-zhang-yimou-zubin-mehtas-turandot-at-the-forbidden-city/

What does an unfinished opera have in common with a historical landmark, Chinese cultural history, thousands of singers, eloquent music, and expert dramaturgy? In 1998, just like Wagner’s trilogy, these disparate elements come together to form a work of epic proportion in Zhang Yimou and Zubin Mehta’s collaborative project, “Turandot at the Forbidden City.” In this article, we will explore {…}

Reviews, Stage Reviews

Metropolitan Opera 2023-24 Review: El Niño

https://operawire.com/metropolitan-opera-2023-24-review-el-nino/

(Photo: Evan Zimmerman / Met Opera) Metropolitan Opera debuted John Adams’s “El Niño,” with libretto based on original sources by Peter Sellars and John Adams, to a sold out house of past, present, and future opera goers on Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024. “El Niño” is unlike anything John Adams has done before and the historical timing of this debut is {…}

News

Benjamin Bernheim, Lisette Oropesa, Ludovic Tézier & Asmik Grigorian Lead Opéra de Paris’ 2024-25 Season

https://operawire.com/benjamin-bernheim-lisette-oropesa-ludovic-tezier-asmik-grigorian-lead-opera-de-paris-2024-25-season/

The Opéra de Paris has announced its 2024-25 season. Opera Verdi’s “Falstaff” opens the season with a cast that includes Ambrogio Maestri, Olivia Boen, Marie-Andrée Bouchard-Lesieur, Andrei Kymach, Gregory Bonfatti, Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Iván Ayón-Rivas, and Federica Guida. Michael Schønwandt conducts the production by Dominique Pitoiset. Performance Dates: Sept. 10-30, 2024 Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” will star Eleonora Buratto, Elena Stikhina, Aude {…}

News

Esa-Pekka Salonen Awarded 2024 Polar Music Prize

https://operawire.com/esa-pekka-salonen-awarded-2024-polar-music-prize/

Esa-Pekka Salonen has been awarded the 2024 Polar Music Prize. The prize, which is a Swedish international award founded in 1989 by Stig Anderson, gives one contemporary musician and one classical musician the prize. Salonen was awarded alongside Nile Rodgers. Finnish conductor and composer Salonen had his breakthrough in 1983 when he conducted Mahler’s Symphony No. 3 and as a {…}

News

Renée Fleming & Will Liverman Headline Aspen Music Festival & School’s 75th Anniversary Season

https://operawire.com/renee-fleming-will-liverman-headline-aspen-music-festival-schools-75th-anniversary-season/

(Photo credit: Andrew Eccles & Jaclyn Simpson) The Aspen Music Festival and School has announced its 75th anniversary season. This article features vocal performances only. Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS Co-Artistic Director Renée Fleming and opera director Peter Sellars coach the program’s major emerging talents in arias and scenes. Performance Dates: June 29 & July 13, 2024 Soprano Renée Fleming, {…}

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Editorial: Myth-Making in ‘Nixon in China’ and Why Modern Directors Don’t Get It

Obituary: Video Artist Bill Viola Dies at 73

Q & A: Tenor Russell Thomas on His Career’s Journey in Opera, Advocacy for Opera Singers & Life That Happens in Between

Luca Salsi, Anna Netrebko, Lidia Fridman, Corinne Winters & Ian Bostridge Lead Teatro dell’Opera di Roma’s 2024-25 Season

Opera Meets Film: Zhang Yimou & Zubin Mehta’s ‘Turandot At The Forbidden City’

Metropolitan Opera 2023-24 Review: El Niño

Benjamin Bernheim, Lisette Oropesa, Ludovic Tézier & Asmik Grigorian Lead Opéra de Paris’ 2024-25 Season

Esa-Pekka Salonen Awarded 2024 Polar Music Prize

Renée Fleming & Will Liverman Headline Aspen Music Festival & School’s 75th Anniversary Season